Geo News Apologises for Religious Imagery in ‘Safar-e-Ishq’ Muharram Documentary Amid PEMRA Suspension

Geo News on Saturday issued a formal clarification and public apology over controversial content aired in its special documentary Safar-e-Ishq, broadcast on 10 Muharram (Ashura).

The channel acknowledged that certain visual representations and material included in the programme, which referenced local rituals and practices adopted by limited groups in Iraq and other regions, were inappropriate and had caused hurt to religious sentiments. In the on-air statement, Geo News described the inclusion as an error, emphasising that the documentary aimed to reflect certain cultural or regional elements but failed to adequately consider Pakistan’s religious, cultural, and social sensitivities.

The channel expressed deep regret, sought forgiveness from viewers, and committed to upholding higher standards of responsibility in future religious programming.

The apology follows swift regulatory intervention by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), which suspended Geo News’s broadcast license for 15 days. PEMRA cited the content as liable to undermine religious harmony, offend accepted standards of decency, and pose risks to public peace and law and order.

Despite the channel’s admission and apology, the suspension took immediate effect, reflecting the authority’s firm stance on content involving sacred Muharram observances.

The incident has ignited intense public debate, with many social media users and commentators arguing that the offence was not accidental and calling for more stringent penalties beyond the temporary ban.